In a comment, Buffy asked "Where on earth do you keep all your clutter?" Before I answer that question, let me share my definition of clutter.
There are some people who live by this saying: "my house might be cluttered, but at least it's not dirty." I've tried to understand it, but that line of thinking makes no sense to me. In my view, it doesn't matter how clean your home is, if it's cluttered, it is not a haven.
There are two types of clutter. The first type of clutter is the "on purpose" clutter. "On purpose" clutter comes in the form of knick-knacks or loads of decorations. People choose to fill their homes with these things; many people just feel better with on-purpose-clutter in their homes. In my opinion, these folks would feel liberated if they just picked up their yard sale boxes and took a little walk through the living room. On-purpose-clutter can make one's home feel like a museum, a giant yard sale, or a shrine to an era long gone. If one cannot control her clutter, her home will lose any sense of style she has attempted to give it. Too much of a good thing is not a good thing in this situation. Every corner doesn't have to be filled up; every wall doesn't have to be covered in decor. Homes are much easier to clean and maintain without our on-purpose-clutter getting in the way.
The second type of clutter is "oops" clutter. This is the type of clutter we probably all deal with in some form. "Oops" clutter is the kind that sneaks up on you. It comes in the form of a pile of clothes in the floor, mail stacked on the table in the hall, catalogs on the coffee table, toys strung all over the den, and papers scattered on the desk. The kitchen can become the biggest problem area because that's where we tend to do everything. I constantly battle against piles of paper with recipes printed on them. Medicine bottles can take over the counter space. Even everyday kitchen gadgets can take up a lot of space. If you don't have much counter space, put your kitchen gadgets away. You'll free up space, and your kitchen will look much more open and useful. Michele also suggests clearing off the front of your refrigerator. I took her advice several months back, and what a difference it makes in the "feel" of the kitchen! I only put something on the front of my fridge if I absolutely must remember it, but it comes off in short order.
Now that I've defined clutter, I'll show you in my next post how I try to keep it at bay. I'll share photos of my organization methods (if you could even call it that) and the ways I store my "clutter" items. I'll go ahead and tell you, though, I mostly just throw things away. ;)
9 comments:
When the little one starts making artwork, it will become slightly more of a challenge to keep the refrigerator clear. Every one knows it's the best place to put these masterpieces!
I agree with you about clutter. I give things away all the time, and throw way things as often as possible. It really is the only way to keep clutter to a minimum. That, and stop buying junk to begin with! Good post.
Good article, now I understand why there is no clutter in your lounge! I hope you keep this up when you have a baby/toddler. I've seen a lot of houses disappear under baby stuff.
lol, that's my solution, too (well, we usually give it to Goodwill, but as long as it's out, that's all I care about!!!)
Terry,
You're right! I'll probably cave in and hang his artwork all over the front of the fridge! :)
~*~
Buffy,
I really hope I can keep a neat home once he's born. I know those first few weeks will be a whirlwind, but maybe after that, I'll be able to get into a cleaning routine. I've also seen really neat ways to kind of "hide" that baby stuff--by storing them in pretty baskets or small chests in the living areas. Maybe that'll be an option for us.
Arlene,
I agree! :)
Thanks for the link Jordin. (o:
I think a few kids artwork on the fridge can be pretty....It's when the fridge is covered with junk, papers, plastic letters, ugly magnets etc... and you can no longer see the front of it is when it makes your kitchen look quite messy.
I always thought that children's art looks good framed. I think if I had children I would have a couple of frames going and change them out periodically. Or perhaps a bulletin board in the kitchen (if you have the wall space)or maybe the hallway would be a good place to show off the kids artwork.
The hard part for me with clutter is that I have a husband who wishes for me to leave certain things out so that he can see them. I would LOVE to have no piles of anything anywhere but I must take my wonderful husband's wishes into account too. (o:
Michele
Michele,
It felt really weird to type "Michele" in my post! I'm so used to your old name, it almost feels disrespectful to call you by your first name! :)
That's a great idea about framing children's artwork! The hallway would be a wonderful "art gallery" that way! I'll definitely keep that in mind for later on...I really love that idea.
It sounds like *I'm* a lot like your husband. :) I like to "see" my things, too. But if they sit around for more than a day or two, Matt will say, "Where does this go?" or "Can I put this somewhere else?" ;)
I abhor clutter, but I must admit that my home is a bit more cluttered now than in the pre-Peapod era, and really, that's more than fine. (Well, I should be honest, we have a cluttery closet where Sean's computer building hobby and my art & crafty supplies are stored, but that's okay too. You can't really organize computer parts or drying sculptures all too well ;o)) My grandma who has the most clean, comfy, uncluttered home imaginable says that hers was a bit of a mess for a season, and that spending time with babies was well worth the years of toy pickup and the like.
The comments about children's art made me smile. :o) We have a little Peapod art gallery in our hallway, and will be doing so in our new place as well. The pictures in the hallway are rotated every so often and are then stored in a little accordion binder for the future. She also has her own little "clothesline" of sorts in her room to place pictures, magazine cut outs, pretty postcards and the like on. Not that she really chooses them herself at this point, but someday. ;o) Peapod also has her own little chalkboard, made with a piece from the desk we recently took apart and chalkboard paint. She uses this to channel her naughty drawing on the wall tendencies to make pretty, appropriate pictures. haha.
Also, Jordin and Michelle, I had to giggle at Jordin's comment about using your first name. After reading Michelle's first blog since almost the beginning, I feel the same way! :P
I can identify myself with the oops clutter...with papers / mail / magazines, etc...but it's not strewn around the house, it's all just piled on the dining room table. :-)
We don't eat there anyway so it doesn't matter.
DH likes to sit in front the TV and eat.
I don't do the knick knack thing. I did earlier when we were married, got kitty stuff, flowers, etc. but eventually I tossed it or gave it to Goodwill because I was sick of looking at it. :-)
I am moving again soon and am having a ball going though the house putting things in either an eBay pile or a thrift store pile or a garbage pile :-)
The more we get rid of the less we have to unpack :-)
God bless your week!
Dawn
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